Diabetes is a disease that affects many people across the world. The symptoms can be controlled, but if left untreated, the consequences could be serious. This article breaks down its causes and symptoms, and offers advice on how to ensure your health is at peak condition.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that helps to regulate blood sugar. There are two main types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes usually begins in childhood or early adulthood, while type 2 diabetes is more common in adults over the age of 50.
Both types of diabetes require daily medication and regular checkups with a doctor. Treatment depends on the specific needs of the individual patient, but typically includes diet and exercise modification, medication management, and stress relief techniques. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct serious complications associated with diabetes such as heart disease or stroke.
Signs of Type 2 Diabetes
There are many signs of type 2 diabetes, but not all of them are clear. If you have any of these signs, see your doctor:
-Changes in weight or appetite -Type 2 diabetes can lead to weight gain because the person starts to eat more than they need. This may be especially true if the person also has high blood sugar levels.
-A change in bowel habits -If someone with type 2 diabetes suddenly has trouble controlling their bowels, it’s a sign to see a doctor. This can be a sign that the person’s blood sugar is out of control and needs to be treated immediately.
-Unusual thirst or hunger -People with type 2 diabetes often feel thirsty even when they don’t drink much water and may become very hungry even if they don’t eat much food. This is because their bodies are trying to get rid of excess sugar in their bloodstreams.
-Fatigue or weakness -People with type 2 diabetes often feel very tired and weak even if they’re not getting enough sleep. This is because their blood sugar levels keep going up and down, making them tired all the time.
Causes of Diabetes
There are many possible causes of diabetes. Genetics may play a role in whether someone gets the disease, and diet and exercise can also contribute. Some types of diabetes are linked to particular types of cells in the body, such as pancreatic beta cells or liver cells. Other factors that can increase your risk for developing diabetes include: having a family history of diabetes
having Type II diabetes
being overweight or obese
having high blood pressure
smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products
Having type 2 diabetes means your body doesn’t produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels. If you have type 2 diabetes, you need to take medication to regulate your blood sugar levels. The good news is that there are many medicines available that can help control type 2 diabetes. If you have type 1 diabetes, your body doesn’t produce any insulin at all. In most cases, people with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin injections daily to manage their blood sugar levels. There are now oral medications available that can help control type 1 Diabetes as well.
How is Diabetes
There are a number of ways to manage diabetes. Some patients may need to take multiple medications to control their blood sugar levels, while others may only need to monitor their blood sugar regularly. Some people with diabetes also use insulin injections or other forms of oral medication to regulate their blood sugar levels. Treatment typically depends on the severity of the diabetes and the patient’s overall health condition.
Symptoms of Diabetes
There are a number of symptoms associated with diabetes, but many people don’t experience them all. In general, people with diabetes may experience the following symptoms:
1. Poor blood sugar control: People with diabetes often have trouble controlling their blood sugar levels. This can lead to mood swings, fatigue, and problems with vision and kidney function.
2. Increased risk of heart disease: People with diabetes are at an increased risk for heart disease, which is a leading cause of death in the United States. Diabetes also increases the risk for other types of health problems, such as stroke and type II diabetes.
3. A reduced life expectancy: Diabetics typically live shorter lives than people without diabetes. This is largely due to increased rates of heart disease, stroke, and other complications of the condition.
4. Urinary problems: People with diabetes often experience difficulty starting or maintaining urination due to damage to the urinary tract from high blood sugar levels. This can lead to recurrent infections and even stone formation in the bladder (ureteral calculi).
5. Neuropathy: Neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes, which damages nerve cells in the body that control muscle movement and sensation. This can lead to pain in various parts of the body, including feet and hands
Treatment for Diabetes
There are many different treatments for diabetes, each with its own set of pros and cons. In general, the goal of treatment is to keep blood sugar levels under control so that damage to the body’s organs and tissues does not occur. Treatment options include medication, diet, exercise, and sometimes surgery.
Medications
The most commonly used type of medication for diabetes is insulin. Insulin helps the body convert food into energy. People with diabetes must take insulin every day to control their blood sugar levels. There are several types of insulin available, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
One type of insulin, analogs, is similar to human insulin but has a shorter biological life span (about 6 hours). Analogs are typically prescribed to people who cannot tolerate human insulin or who have had an allergic reaction to it in the past. Analogs may also be more effective at controlling blood sugar levels than human-insulin based products. However, analogs may cause more adverse side effects such as weight gain and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Another type of insulin, human insulins (also known as regular or long-acting insulins), lasts about 12 hours. Human insulins are the most commonly prescribed type of insulin because they provide consistent results from one dose to the next and they are less likely to cause weight gain or hypoglycemia than analogs. However, human insulins can be more expensive than analogs
